Simple Living Exercise

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Sing "Simple Gifts."

Write your own words. Below are some others' versions. (If you want to hear the tune, visit
http://www2.gol.com/users/quakers/simple_gifts.htm )

Simple Gifts

'Simple Gifts' was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain:

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

Refrain:

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real. 

Refrain:

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OTHERS' VERSIONS

Tis a gift to use it up.
Tis a gift to wear it out.
Tis a gift to make it do,
And even better, do without.

Greg Hanneman & Rose Ann Pridie

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‘Tis a gift to live simply,
‘Tis a gift to live free.
‘Tis a gift to live such that Christ is seen in me.
When I’m free of clutter ‘neath my roof and my feet,
I’ll be free in my spirit my Lord to greet.

‘Tis a gift to serve others.
Many blessings received
When I give of my talents so that others might believe.
Follow Jesus’ leading to find those in need.
You will find, my friend, you are blessed, indeed.

Melinda Zobel

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Tis a gift to get nothing so your hand can be free
To love and to do and always be dust-free
Invest in yourself and be happy
And give what you were meant to be

Dan Lozer, April 8, 2013

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We are called to be loving.
We are called to be free
From the need to chase after prosperity.
For when we have decided to follow Christ
Most everything will seem mispriced.

Refrain:

When we are living as we ought,
We'll have a peace that can't be bought.
We'll find contentment where'er we go,
And we'll love the world 'cause God loved it so.

'Tis a gift to have family and a gift to have friends.
'Tis a gift to be humble and swift to make amends.
For when we value others instead of stuff,
We'll find it's easy to have enough.

(Refrain)

God has given us water. God has given us seed.
God has given us everything that we need.
With all these gifts, what a joy to be content!
Let gratitude be our intent.

(Refrain)

Kate Pendergrass Norlander, April, 2013

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